In a recent joint meeting of the City of Gainesville and Alachua County Commission, officials presented significant findings from the "1 Nation, 1 Project" initiative aimed at addressing youth gun violence through arts and cultural programming. The project, which concluded its first phase in July 2024, has been pivotal in engaging local youth and fostering community collaboration.

Brandy Stone, the director of community health initiatives for Gainesville Fire Rescue, and Sherry Kelly, youth services manager, shared insights from the initiative, which was part of a national effort to tackle public health issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The local chapter, known as ONAPGNV, focused specifically on reducing youth gun violence by integrating arts and well-being activities.

The initiative funded 20 small-scale projects in its first phase, engaging over 650 community members, with 88% of participants being youth under 25. The projects included a variety of arts programs, from music and theater to visual arts, aimed at providing safe spaces for expression and emotional growth. The data collected indicated a strong desire among youth for more culturally representative and diverse arts programming.

In the second phase, which ran from January to August 2024, the project evaluated the impact of these programs on participants' mental health and attitudes toward gun violence. Notably, the findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in gun violence risk factors among participants, highlighting the effectiveness of combining arts with well-being activities.

The meeting underscored the importance of multi-sector collaboration, with partnerships formed across local health experts, artists, and community organizations. The city has committed to ongoing support for these initiatives, with additional funding allocated to continue addressing youth gun violence through arts and cultural programming.

As the city moves forward, officials plan to develop a guide sharing best practices and lessons learned from the project, ensuring that the insights gained will inform future community efforts. The success of "1 Nation, 1 Project" not only reflects a commitment to enhancing youth engagement but also serves as a model for other municipalities facing similar challenges.